Volkswagen Amarok 2023: final first-generation Walkinshaw dual-cab rolls off the production line

The final Walkinshaw-tweaked Amarok has been completed as its successor nears Australian shores

Volkswagen commercial vehicles has announced that the final Walkinshaw-fettled Amarok has come off the production line, marking 2600 utes built since the partnership’s inception.

Walkinshaw reassembled 1555 Amaroks into W-Series models during 2022 at its Clayton, Victoria facility, using up to 99 unique parts from 26 different suppliers.

The last Walkinshaw-built Amarok, number 2600, is a W580SE edition that includes as standard an integrated LED light bar, a spray-in tub liner and nappa leather seats. It’s priced from $86,990 before on-road costs.

Ryan Davies and Ryan Walkinshaw with the final build plaque for the W580SE edition

While the first-generation dual-cab ute is bowing out, the highly-anticipated second-generation Volkswagen Amarok is due to land in Australia in April 2023.

Volkswagen Australia says it led a team of 20 engineers and designers stationed locally to bring the next Amarok to life. The next-gen Amarok shares its platform with the T6.2 Ford Ranger.

Will Walkinshaw continue its partnership with Volkswagen?

Walkinshaw W580SE Amarok 2022 — The final Walkinshaw W580SE Amarok, but it won’t be the end for the partnership

Chasing Cars reported six months ago that the Walkinshaw Automotive Group will be continuing its partnership with Volkswagen commercial vehicles for the next Amarok.

Volkswagen Australia’s director of commercial vehicles Ryan Davies said at the time that work had already begun on the next W-Series Amarok.

The new second-gen Volkswagen Amarok is set to gain Walkinshaw parts in the future

In the past, Walkinshaw Amaroks have not been fettled with in terms of powertrain, however that could all change with the next W-Series Amarok.

Speaking to Chasing Cars today, Volkswagen product and PR communications manager Daniel DeGasperi emphasised that, although unconfirmed, the next Walkinshaw Amarok could see work done to the powertrain, among other areas.

“We would expect Walkinshaw to push us for the next generation, and we would push ourselves in terms of where we can go next in a whole variety of disciplines, with powertrain being one of them,” he said.

DeGasperi also noted that Volkswagen and Walkinshaw are waiting on the next-generation Amarok to arrive in April 2023 to start work on the next W-Series model and that development is in its “early stages”.

Walkinshaw and Volkswagen are set to produce up to 2000 vehicles a year to help meet on-going demand.